Buckinghamshire New University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
If you love to be at the centre of your community, working to ensure those in need are supported, a degree in Police Studies with Criminal Investigation gives you the perfect opportunity to learn about the contemporary policing challenges and criminal justice processes at the heart of this sector. We’re proud of our strong reputation, which we have developed during our 15 year plus partnership with Thames Valley Police to deliver our policing programmes. Why study at BNU? If you are seeking to gain a broader understanding of policing, from criminal law to major crime investigations then our BSc (Hons) Police Studies with Criminal Investigation programme will give you the opportunity to explore the different routes you can develop your chosen career path. These sectors never rest and can involve working in challenging and complex situations; the learnings you will take from this course and our highly experienced lecturers will help put you in a great position to move into the world of work. We’ve designed our BSc (Hons) Police Studies with Criminal Investigation to help you become part of the exciting, ever-changing worlds of policing and criminal justice. You will learn from skilled lecturers who have a high level of knowledge, based on past and current work in their specialist areas. In addition, throughout the course you’ll hear from experienced practitioners delivering guest talks that cover contemporary policing topics and what they’ve experienced in their careers. Getting tangible work experience brings the theory to life and will enhance your employability in the sector. Through our strong partnership with Thames Valley Police, you will be able to apply for a volunteer special constable position while studying for your degree. Selection to perform this voluntary Special Constable role is subject to a selection process and criteria owned by Thames Valley Police. Other valuable volunteering opportunities in non-operational areas of policing or the wider criminal justice system and community initiatives are also available and encouraged. Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Applicants should be aware that graduates who complete this degree and successfully apply to become police constables will have to undertake a graduate conversion programme during their initial police officer training. What will I study? Alongside the demands of operational and investigative policing, you will study areas such as:
- criminal law and justice
- social science related research
- operational policing priorities
- miscarriages of justice
- major crime investigations
Modules
Year one Core Introduction to Policing and the Course Social Sciences & Policing Practice Criminal Law and the Justice System Criminal Law and Legislation Policing, Governance and Ethics Opportunity 2 x 10 credit year one Opportunity modules Year two Core Research Methods Criminal Investigation Past to Present Police Concept Theories and Practices including Crime Prevention Optional Special Constable/Voluntary Work Placement Rural Policing Police Crime and the Media Year three Core Operational Policing Criminal Investigation Systems Criminal Investigations: Scope of the State Independent work Optional Policing Terrorism and Serious Organised Crime OR Progressing a Policing Degree Towards Leadership and Management
Assessment method
Modules are delivered through a blended learning approach comprised of: lectures seminars simulated role play type scenarios carried out in our Code of Practice Suite research-based activities classroom-based discussion individual tutorials Workshops Formative assessment is a key feature of the programme, enabling early feedback to be given on progress and to help students improve their performance. Formative exercises may be conducted as a group or individually and may include poster presentations and simulated tasks within our Police Code of Practice Suite. We use various strategies to help assess your learning during your time studying this degree, including: essays case studies presentations portfolios projects. The University also has a dedicated academic skills centre, Student Learning and Achievement, which can provide additional support in areas such as presentations skills, time-management, academic reading, referencing or academic writing, research for essay preparation and how to prepare effectively for examinations in addition to being assigned a personal tutor from the academic team.
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L4M9
- Institution code:
- B94
- Campus name:
- Buckinghamshire New University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 128 points
A level - BCC - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM - DDM
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15000* | Year 1 |
| International | £15000* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Sponsorship information
Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ